Alice Lenora Spence

 Alice Lenora Spence

Alice came bounding into this world on September 9, 1930 in the enclave of Bozeman Montana, situated in the Gallatin Valley.

As a child, Alice braved the cold winter months of the Northwest by becoming an avid ice skater.  As a teenager, she held fond memories of warm summer bike rides deep into the country on the back of an Indian Motorcycle.  In her late teens she was married and bore two daughters, Alice Rose and Christine Marie.  In her early twenties, she found herself single with her two young daughters and moved along with her parents George and Minnie Murry and younger brother Raymond to Brookings Oregon.  

To help support herself and provide for her children in her new surroundings, she took a job as a waitress whereby chance, she met and later married her husband Charles Wiley Spence, a local logger with an injured leg, with whom she would spend the rest of her life until his death in 1999.  Helping to tend to his injury likely sparked her lifelong quest to help ease the pain and suffering of thousands through her pursuit of nursing and her ministries.  Together the couple joined Eastern Star, where they both remained active for over 50 years, rising prominently through the orders. 

Shortly after marrying in June 1951, Charles adopted her two young daughters and together they reared two more children, Margo Spence born in 1952 and Randal Spence in 1953.  In 1961 the Spence Clan relocated to Hayward California when Charles returned to his wartime vocation and sailed regularly in and out of San Francisco Bay Area ports.  Alice immediately began using her free time while Charles was away for months at a time to attend classes at Chabot Jr. College taking sculpting and medical assisting classes.  Soon after, she began volunteering her time at Kaiser Hospital in Hayward, where she quickly took over as President of the Candy Stripers.  

Alice continued with her nursing pursuits and graduated in 1972 with a nursing degree.  She began working full time as an RN and continued her education in nursing part time, eventually graduating from St. Mary’s College with a Batchelor’s Degree in nursing.  Never being content to rest on her laurels, Alice soon became active in CNA (California Nurses Assn), where she once again rose through the ranks to eventually become the California State President for a year.  During this process she became extensively involved with Holistic Health, eventually later becoming proficient in the art of Reiki. She literally touched the lives of thousands of grateful patients. 

Alice traveled extensively over her lifetime, enjoying Europe, Greece, the Greek Islands, Russia, Chile, Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, China and more.  In 1983, Alice and Wiley sold their home in Hayward and retired to Red Bluff, California where she helped design and build the home of their dreams.  There they lived together in a small trailer while building a workshop and eventually completed a large 2-story home.  Even though busy building her home, Alice still found time to volunteer at the local Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s.  In addition, she joined St. Peters Episcopal Church in Red Bluff where she attained her designation as a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM).  In 1992, Alice went on to earn the “Women of the Year” award in appreciation for her exceptional qualities of leadership, integrity along with her distinguished achievements for the betterment of her community. The award was presented by the City of Red Bluff Business and Women’s Organization.  

In 2004, Alice moved to the San Diego area where after getting situated, she took organ lessons and spent hours practicing her tunes.  For many more years she continued on as an active volunteer LEM and Assistant Chaplin at Grossmont Hospital. Along with other functions, she performed Baby Blessings for the newborns.  Alice will best be remembered for the smiles she brought to the faces of thousands of patients and their families, through her personal ministry comprised of making and giving “Prayer Squares” to the thousands of hospital patients. During her lifetime, she made and gave away over 30,000 prayer squares, most of them one at a time, individually to sick patients.  Each prayer square came with a personal blessing and always ending in the words, “know that you are loved”. 

No longer able to drive, in September 2018 Alice moved into Lantern Crest elder care facility in Santee, CA where she continued touching the lives of others through her Prayer Square ministry.  There she quickly made friends with everyone around her as enjoyed the many activities available for people of her age especially making use of the exercise classes that helped keep her strong through to the end.  Alice was a highly spiritual person, savored the advice of Dr. Wayne Dyer, believed strongly in reincarnation, was quick to smile and was always happy to hear from you.  In 1957 she was confirmed into the Episcopal Church in located in Prospect, Oregon, attended services at St. Christopher’s in San Lorenzo, and St. Peters in Red Bluff and most recently became of the Christ the King Episcopal Church located in Alpine, CA.  

On April 19th, 2025, Alice went peacefully in her sleep off to be one with the universe.  So, if on a warm sunny day you happen to see a butterfly flittering about or an eagle circling high above, it’s quite possibly Alice letting you know that her spirit is still alive and wishing you well.  

Alice provides an impressive example of a well-lived life.  If you Google “A Life Well Lived”, chances are her picture will pop up.  Alice is survived by her brother Raymond, her 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and countless other nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  Alice now smiles as she shines down upon us from the heavens where a star, Alice Lenora was specifically named in her honor.  This special Star she so greatly treasured, can be found in the night sky in Constellation Virgo.  Every night of the year for the rest of eternity, she will be shining her love down upon us all.  So be sure to remember to occasionally look up at the night sky, think of Alice and how she touched your life along with the lives of countless thousands of others. 

There will be a memorial celebration on June 29th, 2025.  Click to see your invite and RSVP, 

The following day, Alice’s ashes will be scattered at sea during a private ceremony to be held off the coast of San Diego on June 30th, 2025.  There she will join the ashes of her late husband who was interred there in 1999.  

If you have an interest in attending both events, be sure to RSVP.  There are limited seats available on the boat so be sure to reserve a seat early so we can try to accommodate all that wish to join us. 

Donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in the name of Alice L. Spence (Link)